Lazio hit back over attack on Spurs fans

Serie A side Lazio have denied their fans are responsible for an attack on Tottenham fans in a Rome bar.

At least one Spurs fan was left seriously injured and nine others were hurt after being set upon by a group of masked assailants outside a pub in the Italian capital.

The two teams meet in the Europa League clash on Thursday evening, but the president of the Italian side Claudio Lotito has insisted that the 'cowardly' attack was not carried out by supporters of his club.

In relation to the accusation that fans of Lazio were involved, Lotito stated: "The attackers were wearing helmets that have prevented status and recognition so (to say) they are supporters of Lazio is a statement entirely without foundation.

"The Lazio fans have shown in recent times that they have totally abandoned manifestations of cowardly and free physical violence, as were those that occurred last night.

"Lazio have always preached to supporters the need to demonstrate sportsmanship and chivalry towards opponents and their fans.

"Events like those that occurred last night had nothing to do with football and its manifestations and are an expression of pure criminality.

"Lazio hopes that the perpetrators of the acts are identified as soon as possible and punished in a fair (manner), thus moving away from the supporters unfairly suspected."